++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                    +   AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware   +
                    +          README-First !!!          +
                    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1. Please CAREFULLY read this readme file IN ITS ENTIRETY.


    --> V5.3-1 firmware introduced the relocation of AlphaBIOS.  The
        requirement to run the update utility twice if the firmware is
        updated via any method other than booting the CD lfu image still
        applies to systems being updated to V6.0 that are currently installed
        with any version of firmware prior to V5.3-1.   Please review the
        release notes for update information.

    --> If the base level firmware on the systems being updated is 5.1 or
        earlier, you must first update to 5.3 firmware before updating
        to 5.4 or later firmware.  Please see release notes for details.

2. When updating console firmware, it is recommended that you update both the
   SRM and AlphaBIOS consoles at the same time to insure compatibility between
   versions.


3. Helpful Hints on using the UPDATE and LIST commands

   UPD> update srm*      to update the SRM console firmware.
   UPD> update alpha*    to update the AlphaBIOS console.
   UPD> update *         to update all firmware in your system.
   UPD> update * -all    to update all firmware in your system without having
                         to confirm each update.
   UPD> list             to display adapters in your system that are supported
                         by the Loadable Firmware Utility [LFU].
   UPD> readme           to display this readme file you are reading now.


4. Latest Firmware Update Revisions

   The latest Firmware Update Bootfile "AS4X00_V6_0.EXE" on the Alpha Firmware
   CD V6.0, contains V6.0 SRM Console, which has the following components:
   (* = CHANGED or NEW since last release)

    --> SRM console V6.0-4 *
    --> XSROM V6.0 *
    --> OpenVMS PALcode V1.21-2
    --> DIGITAL UNIX PALcode V1.23-2
    --> AlphaBIOS console V5.70-0  
    --> CIPCA FW version A420 
    --> DEFPA FW version V3.20 
    --> ISP1020 FW version V5.57 (included in SRM console)
    --> KZPSA FW version A12


5. Firmware Enhancements and New Features (SRM and AlphaBIOS Consoles)

    --> Device recognition added for the DE602-BA network adapter.
    --> Modified mopdl driver to fix a hang of the mop process when booting
        was issued via an FDDI controller.
    --> Code changes to fix Probe Timeout Failures on KGPSA devices.
    --> Code changes to fix a failure to write crash dumps to disks connected
        via a CIPCA.
    --> Update firmware for the Memory Channel adapter (CCMAB) is no longer
        supplied nor supported with firmware releases.

6. Firmware Anomalies, Restrictions, and Workarounds

    --> The MEMORY_TEST environment variable must be set to FULL (default).
        PARTIAL and NONE are not supported.
    --> The B3004-BA and B3002-AB (EV5 300 MHz 2MB cache) CPUs can be mixed in
        the same system. If mixed, you MUST configure a B3002-AB as the primary
        CPU - this is typically CPU0.
    --> VGAs configured as console display devices must be in PCI0.
    --> The system must be reset prior to running LFU from console. Booting the
        LFU off CD-ROM does not require a system reset.

7. AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware Release Notes

   If you wish to read the complete FW release notes for the AlphaServer
   4100/4000 they can be found on the V6.0 Alpha FW Update CD, in the
   following directories:

   --> On an OpenVMS System:
       [DOC]ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.PS   (PostScript file)
       [DOC]ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.TXT  (Text file)

   --> On a DIGITAL UNIX System:
       /DOC/ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.PS   (PostScript file)
       /DOC/ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.TXT  (Text file)

   --> On a Windows NT System:
       \DOC\ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.PS   (PostScript file)
       \DOC\ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.TXT  (Text file)